Chiefs player ratings vs Moana Pasifika | Super Rugby Pacific
The Chiefs strolled into Melbourne on a high from their Crusaders-toppling performance last week in Christchurch. Moana however were hoping to avoid slipping into a naught from two start after falling short in a close contest against the Fijian Drua in round one.
Moana showed plenty of intent early to play and string phases together through their dominant ball runners but were let down by handling errors.
The Chiefs look like a team with impressive chemistry, rolling from innovative set-piece play to off-the-cuff phase play fluently. While the Waikato side was out-matched physically in numerous positions, they covered ground well and their smaller players tackled strongly.
The Chiefs ran for 280 meters in the first half alone and suffocated Moana for a halftime score of 38-3.
The second 40 was a more positive affair for Moana, who managed to hang onto the ball and mount pressure close to the Chiefs’ line, scoring the first two tries of the period.
The Chiefs managed to strike back while Brad Weber was in the bin for a deliberate knock-on, but ill-discipline continued to creep into the Chiefs game late and Moana profited from the territory and personnel advantage.
A hefty injury toll for Moana meant the side had to spend the final 15 minutes of the game with just 14 men on the field. Both teams furthered their score during that period and the game finished 52-19 in favour of the Chiefs.
Here’s how the Chiefs rated:
1. Ollie Norris – 7.5
The Chiefs rolled out a front row with an average age just shy of 24, so the scrum dominance they achieved will have Waikato fans very excited about what the future holds. Norris showed good mobility when chasing agile attackers and had a couple of runs where he was determined to make meters.
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 8.5
Effortless accuracy at the lineout as always (bar one miscommunication), delivering deep throws that put his team in strong attacking positions. Made a huge amount of post-contact meters with the ball in hand and continues to develop his offload game, which promises to be another very productive tool in Taukei’aho’s already standout skillset.
3. George Dyer – 7
A fundamentally strong outing for Dyer in his tenth showing for the Chiefs. Contributing a strong foundation at set piece and quiet but efficient elsewhere.
4. Brodie Retallick – 8
Retallick had the Chiefs’ set piece firing, his side nailed the fundamentals while he was on and built their play from that base. Big Brodie was active around the ruck, applying pressure at the breakdown and slowing down Moana’s ball. Found himself offside when chasing a return kick to start the second 40, gifting Moana a scoring opportunity which they scored with.
5. Tupou Vaa’i – 8
Was perhaps the only Chiefs player who managed to bother Timoci Tavatavanawai in the contact and his physicality was denting throughout the contest. Did well to navigate such a fast match and impose himself throughout without showing any signs of fatigue. A safe pair of hands in the lineout.
6. Pita Gus Sowakula – 6.5
Penalised early for a high tackle and was unlucky to incur his second penalty shortly after, resulting in Moana’s first points of the game. Ran hard all night and found some great lines but was let down by a couple of handling errors.
7. Sam Cane – 8.5
The All Black captain had a busy night out, placing himself in the middle of Moana’s favourite running channels and taking on a heap of heavy contact. His leadership was missed after he exited the field as Moana built momentum and the Chiefs’ discipline worsened.
8. Luke Jacobson – 8.5
A great hesitation set Sowakula away for Weber’s try. Jacobson’s light touches in close channels were all very productive for the Chiefs. In the second 40 when Moana had some more attacking opportunities, Jacobson’s strength as a tackler stood out as he dominated various contacts. Will be disappointed to have had such a scrappy performance in th second half as he assumed the captaincy over that period.
9. Brad Weber – 8
Exceptional work from the base of the ruck, delivering crisp and accurate passes for his runners with good timing. Made some questionable decisions when deviating from his passing game. Ran great support lines. Received a yellow in the 50th minute and didn’t return.
10. Damian McKenzie – 9
Copped an early shot to the face in an attempt to tackle Timoci Tavatavanawai but fired a beautiful flat pass out to the wing shortly after which set Liam Coombes-Fabling away for the Chiefs’ second try. McKenzie’s well-rounded skillset was on full display, setting up players with an array of kicks.
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo – 6.5
Won a turnover early but saw very little ball on his wing for most of the match. Provided impressive physicality in his defensive collisions.
12. Rameka Poihipi – 7
Could not have asked for a better start to the game, intercepting the first pass of the game and breaking a tackle to score in the opening 10 seconds. Was consistent in his tackling throughout and took the ball to the line well on occasion.
13. Alex Nankivell – 8
Nankerville again showed his immense work rate on both sides of the ball, not allowing Moana’s midfield to have their way as they did at times in round one and then twisting and pivoting through a number of lengthy carries.
14. Liam Coombes-Fabling – 7.5
Ran in the Chiefs’ second and retrieved a few Moana kicks but like Nanai-Seturo, saw limited attacking opportunities in the first 40. Impressively slotted into halfback with Weber in the bin and then again when Ratima was sent to the sideline.
15. Shaun Stevenson –
Stevenson has been the first to admit that consistency will be the key to how far he goes in the game, and so far the fullback is two from two in 2023. He simply makes the most of all opportunities that come his way, which in this particular game, made for a hat-trick. His hefty kicking ability provided a number of lengthy exits.
Reserves:
16. Tyrone Thompson – 7
The 22-year-old provided the most Super Rugby experience in the front row cover for the Chiefs. Was lucky not to see yellow late but provided good impact off the bench
17. Jared Proffit – 6
Chiefs Debut
18. John Ryan – 6.5
19. Laghlan McWhannell – 6
20. Simon Parker – 5.5
21. Cortez Ratima – 5
Ratima’s deliveries were crisp out of the hand but often came after the halfback had carried for a couple of steps, which didn’t suit the game’s pace. Received a yellow card for tackling before retreating ten meters reacting to a quick tap.
22. Bryn Gatland – 6.5
23. Ngatungane Punivai – 6
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to comments